I don't trust ANY president when it comes to war in Afghanistan

[Stinky The Clown]

We have been there for eight years.

There is no reason for that. There is not a person alive who I would trust to keep us there any longer.

Same is true for Iraq. I want out yesterday. I credit Obama for at least talking about getting out. I will not give praise, however, until I see real results.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Right there with you!

We never should have gone in.

We shouldn't be staying.

[Richardo]

2. Jesus, really?

Is there a pontification generator around here nobody's told me about? Because it's on overdrive today.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. when I read snark on a thread about war

I know the snarker is not dealing with the realities. Like one who farts at funerals.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Pretty typical

"Go team"

[Bigmack]

8. Would it be a pontification...

to say "We need to get the fuck out of there NOW!" ?

[ZombieHorde]

16. FYI, you are on a political message board. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

20. You either support staying there or you support getting out ......

You seem to support staying *and* escalating.

Tell ya what. YOU go fight over there. And if you're too old, send YOUR kids.

Fair enough?

And *that* is not pontification. It is calling you out.

[mix]

3. Nor do I, but really, it's the military et al that has to be brought down to size. nt

[Lasher]

4. Hell, we're not even getting out of Iraq.

Lots of hype but look at the numbers. Reminds me of Nixon's secret plan.

[FACTSfirst]

6. I wouldn't give credit to ANY politician for "talking" about anything...

That seems to be the problem these days. A lot of talk and no action.

[niyad]

7. welcome to DU--and well-said.

[FACTSfirst]

11. Thank Niyad!

[niyad]

9. according to amy goodman this morning--he will announce a 34,000 troop escalation on tuesday

I am beyond heartsick.

[grasswire]

17. is this so??????????

We're doomed. The government is no longer responsive to the expressed will of the electorate.

[kenny blankenship]

12. Obama is simply following Bush's withrawal timetable negotiated and signed with Al-Maliki

Please everyone make a note that. It is a fact. He is not "talking about leaving Iraq" as though he is doing something Bush didn't do or wouldn't do. He's following the existing timetable and that's not "change".

What happens at the end 2011 when the last 50,000 troops are supposed to come out will be interesting to see.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

13. After 8 years, are we any closer to building a stable democratic government there?

Or is this just a futile attempt to herd together a bunch of eternally warring clans? If so, I think we need to get out asap. I do fear that any U.S. President at this point, including Obama, would place too much importance on how this war plays out within internal American politics and job ratings. We need a leader who will dare to make the difficult decision even though it might mean losing the next election, but who will do the right thing. I hope Obama is that kind of President.

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. Doesn't appear that he is that kind of president.

Wonder if he sleeps soundly too.

[ixion]

14. spot on, that...

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[grasswire]

18. BTW, thank you for your service, Stinky.

I don't think I did so on veterans day.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

19. Presidents really seem to love their wars,

especially the ones that have never served. It's like playing the ultimate chess game with other peoples lives and treasure.

There isn't one gawd damn good reason for Obama to escalate this war. I guess he still has delusions of capturing bid Laden.

[mike_c]

21. I'm especially dismayed by the folks who think that Obama's having promised...

...to escalate the war against Afghanistan during his campaign somehow makes continued crimes against humanity alright. "But he has said all along that he'll do it!" So? Hitler said all along that he hated Jews-- does that make his efforts to exterminate them any less despicable? Of course not. The war against Afghanistan is no less a war of aggression than Germany's conquest of much of Europe. The Obama apologists can read whatever they want into that statement. There is no justification for American aggression against the Iraqis or the Afghans-- and there never was any. Bush used the 9/11 attacks to inspire paranoia that persists still today, and to launch two imperialist wars of aggression. Now Obama is going to continue them. And all the while the MIC rakes in the money-- war is just about the only major export America has left.

[OneBlueSky]

22. there's too much Bush in Obama for my taste . . . and no meaningful change . . .

continued war (and a pledge to "finish the job"), more of the Patriot Act, refusal to sign the land mine ban, etc. . . sometimes I wonder if Bush is still in the White House . . .